Kayaking Milford Sound Roscos Guided Kayak Tours

Rosco’s is New Zealand’s longest established owner operated sea kayak company

That is experience you can count on!

Welcome to Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most stunning Sea Kayaking location.

Escape the crowds and explore the splendour of this area in a safe, stable sea kayak with your own personal guide. Whether you’re a first-time paddler or a seasoned kayaker, join one of our many professional guided expeditions at Rosco’s Milford Kayaks, located right in the heart of Fiordland’s Milford Sound.

Navigate your kayak across dazzling Milford Sound water that appears exactly the same now as it did a thousand years ago, and experience one of the best Milford Sound Activities available today. Waterfalls cascade from hundreds of metres above as you feel the spray kiss your face, marvel at the ancient rainforest clinging to the steep cliffs of the fiord alongside you parted by glorious waterfalls, and get up close and personal with friendly New Zealand wildlife such as Fur Seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins, famous Blue Penguins, and even Bottlenose Dolphins. This kayaking journey is incredible and will leave you with memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Rosco’s Milford Kayaks is New Zealand’s oldest owner-operated sea kayaking company. With over twenty years of expertise, Rosco’s takes pride in their eco-friendly excursions and is the only business that offers kayak journeys to the outer Fiords (including Stirling Falls). They have a variety of sea kayaking alternatives, but book early to prevent disappointment. Except for the Sunriser, which may entail transfers from Te Anau, all tours depart from Milford Sound.

Milford Sound Kayaking tours are available all year round.

Kayak Milford Sound Sunriser Classic – “Rosco’s original”

Price: $159 per person (age 14+)
Departs: 7.30am to 10am depending on time of year and sunrise (returns 5.5 hours later)
Duration: 3.5 hours paddling – 10 Kms

Paddle Rating: Moderate

This tour, pioneered by Rosco in 1991 and our most popular summer and winter excursion, takes you on a large loop of Milford Sound, allowing you to see all of the attractions! This is an excursion not to be missed, with opportunity to view animals and picture waterfalls. Join us on a magnificent paddle that is ideal for all ages.

The Sunriser Classic will suit you if:

You relish the chance to explore the fiord by kayak.
You are happy to spend up to 3.5 hours paddling.
You are happy not going the length of the fiord to the sea.
You have reasonable levels of water confidence and physical fitness.

Milford Sound Day kayak Safari – (Sunriser Classic with transfers from Te Anau)

Price: $195 per person (age 14+)
Departs: 6:45 am to 7:45 am depending on time of year and sunrise (returns 5.5 hours later) (Deepwater Basin)
Duration: 3.5 hours paddling – 10 Kms

Paddle Rating: Moderate

This is a package deal that includes the Sunriser Classic as well as a fully guided return road trip from Te Anau. On your journey to your kayaking trip in Milford Sound, take in the scenery of New Zealand’s most popular alpine drive.

The drive to Milford Sound is one of the most amazing and frequently underappreciated aspects of the area. The Milford route winds through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful and untouched alpine vistas. Begin your day with a picturesque minibus ride down the gorgeous Milford Road, with our guide pointing out the best places while you sit back and relax. We’ll even pick you up from your accommodation!

The Day Safari will suit you if:

You’d like to sit back & enjoy the views while someone does the driving for you.
You’re excited to paddle the fiord but don’t want to miss anything on the way!

The following Milford Sound Kayak Tours

Available summer months only (October – April)

Milford Track Paddle n Walk – “The finest walk in the world”

Price: $135 per person (age 16+) Transport can be added from Te Anau
Departs: 2:00 pm and returns approx 7:30 pm (Deepwater Basin)
Duration: 1 hour return paddle (3KM). 3.5 hour return walk (10KM)

Paddle Rating: Easiest

Two iconic trips in one.
Begin with a magnificent paddle to Sandfly Point, followed by a stretch of one of the world’s best treks, the famed Milford Track, sans the crowds. Our guide will show you the finest areas to halt, take photos, and listen to stories about the unique path, its healthy wildlife, and the stunning portion of New Zealand it calls home during a leisurely stroll with beautiful vistas at every turn.

Please keep in mind that this tour does not venture out into the fiord. If you want to spend more time on the sea and paddle the fiord, the Milford Cruiser would be a better option.

The Paddle n Walk will suit you if:

You’re a beginner kayaker who doesn’t want to paddle too far.
You would rather not paddle out into the fiord.
You want to enjoy a remote, scenic walk.
You love peace & quiet and being off the beaten track!

Milford Sound Kayak the Stirling Sunriser – “Go further, see more”

Price: $179 per person (age 16+) Transport can be added from Te Anau
Departs: 9:00 am and returns approx 2:00 pm (Deepwater Basin)
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours paddling – 12 Kms

Paddle rating: Tough

As part of a small group (seven people), you will enjoy an intimate, relaxed trip by water taxi to just beyond Stirling Falls (151m). On your kayak, you will have the chance to get up close to the waterfall, and even partway under it, if you’re brave enough! This exhilarating trip is a very popular option and is fun for all.

The Stirling Sunriser will suit you if:

You are happy to kayak for up to 4 hours in potentially turbulent waters.
You have high levels of water confidence & physical fitness.
You love chasing watersfalls and aren’t afraid to get wet!

Milford Sound Kayaking Morning Glory – “Kayak the full length of Milford”

Price: $185 per person (age 16+)
Departs: 9:00 am and returns approx 2:00 pm (Deepwater Basin)
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours plus paddling – 18 Kms
EXPECT: Wind & Waves. Prior Kayak Experience is a MUST for this Trip

Paddle rating: Tough

EXPECT: WIND & WAVES. PRIOR KAYAK EXPERIENCE IS A MUST FOR THIS TRIP.

Rosco’s premier kayaking experience is the Morning Glory. You may enjoy your magnificent surroundings in a more private environment with a limited group restriction (seven individuals).

The Morning Glory is a lovely way to start the day, especially if you have an early start to escape the worst of the day breeze (which develops later in the morning). Taking in the whole length of the Sound, you paddle to the fiord’s entrance and return aboard our water taxi, weather permitting. This is a fast-paced adventure that takes in all of the amazing views Milford has to offer, spending more time on the water and travelling further than other kayak trips.

On your journey back, you will be able to rest in the water taxi. This excursion necessitates some paddling expertise as well as a high degree of fitness due to the possibility of encountering waves and sea breeze.

The Morning Glory will suit you if:

You like the peace & quiet of an early start with plenty of photo opportunities.
You are happy to kayak for over 4 hours in potentially turbulent waters.
You have high levels of water confidence & physical fitness.
You love playing in the wind & waves and aren’t afraid to get wet!

Milford Sound Kayaking Twilight Wind & Waves – “Adventure paddling at its best”

Price: $215 per person (age 16+) Transport can be added from Te Anau
Departs: 9:00 am and returns approx 2:00 pm (Deepwater Basin)
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours plus paddling – 12 Kms
EXPECT: Wind & Waves. Prior Kayak Experience is a MUST for this Trip

Paddle rating: Tough

This adventure takes your small party (maximum of seven people) over the same course as the Stirling Sunriser, but the afternoon breeze adds a touch of choppiness to the sea. Most days, sailing and kayak surfing are permitted, adding a thrilling element to your voyage; nevertheless, the highlight of the trip is viewing the stunning dusk vistas as you finish the adventure by floating into Deepwater Basin — just magnificent!

The Twilight Wind and Waves trip will suit you if:

You are happy to kayak for up to 4 hours in potentially turbulent waters.
You have high levels of water confidence & physical fitness.
You love playing in the wind & waves and aren’t afraid to get wet!

Milford Sound Kayaking Afternoon Delight – “Afternoon paddling at its best”

Price: $219 per person (age 16+)
Departs: 2:00 pm and returns approx 7:30 pm (Deepwater Basin)
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours plus paddling – 18 Kms
EXPECT: Wind & Waves. Prior Kayak Experience is a MUST for this Trip

Paddle Rating: The Toughest

For the seasoned explorer up for a hard paddle. Take our water taxi to the Milford entrance and enjoy the thrill of kayaking back home amid wind, waves, and breathtaking scenery throughout the length of the Sound. Afternoon expeditions are more likely to encounter wind, waves, and rough sea conditions than morning outings, but the benefits are well worth it! For the seasoned explorer up for a hard paddle. Take our water taxi to the Milford entrance and enjoy the thrill of kayaking back home amid wind, waves, and breathtaking scenery throughout the length of the Sound. Afternoon expeditions are more likely to encounter wind, waves, and rough sea conditions than morning outings, but the benefits are well worth it!

The Afternoon Delight will suit you if:

You have prior experience paddling in challenging sea conditions.
You are happy to kayak for over 4 hours in potentially turbulent waters.
You have high levels of water confidence & physical fitness.
You love playing in the wind & waves and aren’t afraid to get wet!

Trips Include

approx 3 – 5 hours paddling in double kayaks
Experienced local guides
Day Safari includes transfers from Te Anau

Duration

Allow 5 – 6 hours
Allow 11 hours for the Day Safari from Te Anau

Departures:

Early morning or mid afternoon
All trips depart from Milford Sound (Day Safari departs from Te Anau)
Sunriser Classic operates all year (other trips operate in Summer only Oct – Apr)

Information about the trips:

All trips depart from Milford Sound except the Day Safari which includes return transfers from Te Anau
Only the Sunriser Classic & Day Safari operate all year
If you are reasonably active you will find our trips fairly easy. If you want a longer challenging trip, book the Morning Glory – you will not be disappointed
Minimum age is 14 years old
We provide all specialist paddling attire designed to keep you warm & dry. Polypro under garments & fleece, neoprene spray decks & gloves, paddle jackets, buoyancy aides & dry bags. Our changing “tent” is heated to a balmy 30 degrees C before & after our trips. Your bags & valuables will be stored in our lockers. We paddle safe, stable double kayaks with foot operated rudders
Bring: a camera with a fresh set of batteries & plenty of film/memory (we supply a dry bag for it), lunch & snack food, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, insect repellent, shorts, soft shoes, warm fleece or wool hat, a spare pair of warm socks, rain jacket, towel, a change of clothes & finally a bag to keep everything in and personal medication.